[Update: NMF26O] Verizon Pixel and Pixel XL Bootloader Unlocked, TWRP and Root also available

Update 6 (Dec 05, 2016): Verizon is rolling out an update to Pixel and Pixel XL with build NMF26O. It’s believed that this update will patch the dePixel8 bootloader unlock tool.

Update 5 (October 28th, 2016): Verizon Pixel bootloader unlock released by SunShine developer team. Unlocking instructions and download link at the link below:

[icon name=”hand-o-right” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] How to Unlock Bootloader on Verizon Pixel using dePixel8

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Update 4 (October 27th, 2016): Developer jcase has confirmed to XDA that the Verizon Pixel bootloader unlock tool will be free if the team ever releases it publicly.

XDA Senior Recognized Developer jcase from the SunShine developer team informed us that this bootloader unlock will not be a part of SunShine. Whenever/if the team does release the unlock, it will likely be free barring any unforeseen circumstances. Though if Verizon or Google patch the routes that the team had to go through for the unlock, and if they need to figure out how to unlock it all over again, then things might change on that end.

Update 3 (October 26th, 2016): Verizon Pixel bootloader unlocked. Renowned developer beaups just tweeted a picture of his Verizon Pixel which reads Device is UNLOCKED on the bootloader screen.

Update 2 (October 4th, 2016): Google Pixel phones officially announced. Verizon will be exclusively carrying the new devices in the US. And you will NOT be able to bootloader unlock it on Verizon, a Google representative confirmed this. Tough times ahead for Nexus users looking to upgrade..

Update (October 4th, 2016): We’re some 12 hours away from the official launch of Pixel and Pixel XL phones, but Verizon has just leaked some of the highlighting features of Google Pixel phones. While we were intrigued by Google Magic the most, there was another feature that said “Strengthened security”. So it isn’t hard to believe now that rooting Pixel and Pixel XL phones won’t be easy, at-least not on Verizon.

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The new Pixel phones launching on Oct 4th in the US will define the future of Android devices. It’s being rumored that Google will bring features to Pixel devices that will be exclusive to them. The company will not push those features to AOSP (Android Open Source Project).

If the rumors turn out to be true, and Google is indeed bringing new Android features particularly for Pixel devices, then it’ll be a start of a new era. What this means is Google will now stand to compete directly with other Android manufacturers.

Until now, Nexus phones were branded as developer friendly devices only. But that’s not the case with Pixel phones. Pixel is being branded as made by Google. The search engine giant is using its full authority to promote Pixel phones with such branding and it only means competitive sales for other companies who make Android phones.

Google has also partnered Verizon into Pixel and Pixel XL sales. Which might mean end of an era where Google released Android devices that were easy to unlock. With Verizon being a partner now, you can’t expect Pixel and Pixel XL to be easy to unlock bootloader, at-least not on Verizon.

And if you can’t bootloader unlock Verizon Pixel and Pixel XL phones then you can’t install TWRP recovery and get root access on the devices.

More information on Pixel devices will be revealed at the launch event of Google Pixel and Pixel XL on 4th October. We’ll be sure to update this post with relevant information. Stay tuned with us.

Happy Androiding!

[Update: NMF26O] Verizon Pixel and Pixel XL Bootloader Unlocked, TWRP and Root also available

Shivam Malani

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